The past 2 days we're spent in deep self reflection. Realizing how flawed my methods were i started to see allot of things I missed out on. I was so caught up in my ways that I missed it all. Not once did I try to make my life better. What's the possibility of things getting better when I run away? I need to clear my head but I'm all out of time. The escorts from runan will be here in any minute.
"My lady, please be safe." Sarah who was helping with my outfit suddenly broke the silence. The past 2 days she had been actively avoiding me. I couldn't blame her, all I wanted to do was plead with her to come with me but I know she wouldn't want to. I dont want to force her into agreeing out of guilt.
"Thank you Sarah, thank you for everything you have done for me. For being by my side all these years. Thank you." She was sobbing uncontrollably.
"My lady, the delegates have arrived" Sven the family butler announced. He had a grim look on his face. I had always seen him but I never cared to know anything about him. Walking into the hallway the maid were all line up against both walls.
"My lady, please be happy. Know that you will always have a special place in our hearts" they all bowed their heads as I heard sniffling and sobs.
Why did I always ignore these people? It's clear they all loved me. Maybe it's because i was the daughter of one of them. I have so much regrets now.
"Thank you all for the love all these years. I'll make sure to write often so you all can put your hearts at ease" I bow to them as I exit the building.
"Greetings your grace, my name is sir Lucas shaw and I will be the captain in charge of the jouney to Runan" man with red hair bows his head.
"Captain is the best, he is the son of the knight commander and he has 2 sisters so you can feel safe, greetings your grace my name is sir Gideon" someone else smacks him on the head as he winces in pain.
"He may be an airhead but he means no harm, greetings your grace i am dame Ava, its a pleasure to be tasked with escorting you safely to Runan" clarisa was shocked to learn thay she was a dame, she looked so handsome and cool.
"Greetings your grace, I am sir Henry white and I am the vice captain. I hope you have a restful trip to runan" he was the last one of the four knights to introduce himself.
"Thank you all. I will entrust my safety to you and will be in your care" Gideon grinned from ear to ear, nodding his head in agreement.
"Your grace, will no one be accompanying you?"
"I'll be going alone sir Lucas, will that be a problem?"
"Not at all your grace, if you are ready we can be on our way"
"Let us be on our way, you can take my hand your grace" grabbing sir Lucas's hand for support into the carriage clarisa thanked him. Looking back at the manor one last time, the maids were all outside to see her off. Everyone had a grim look on their faces, Sarah was still crying and Arabella turned her head in defeat. After the last time I hadn't seen clark around. I thought he would come see me off but I guess I was wrong.
It's will take about 2 weeks to get to Runan according to sir lucas. Unlike the knights at the palace who clarisa never took an interest in, she was paying a close attention to what they said, their mannerism and even going as far to learn a bit more about each one of them. She didn't just refer to them as every other thing, now they were people with complex lives and emotions. People with a past that has shaped who they were now.
It was a change from my usual self pitying ways.
The carriage still remained bumpy and I felt nauseous. A knock on the window 'sir Lucas' I opened the window.
"My lady if you need to rest, please let me know, we will stop the carriage and take refuge for the night" I nod as I close the windows shut. If only magic could relieve me of this nausea. Hold on, why have I never tried using magic on the carriage to keep it stable. Placing my hand gently on the frame I cast a barrier with shock absorption all over the carriage and the shaking stops. Did the magic work?
"Seems we have passed the worst of it for now. Hopefully the road continues to be this smooth going forward" the wheels of the carriage hit a bump on the road but the carriage remained steady, no the road didn't get smooth, its my magic. Why did I never think of this all these years? I spent 12 years unable to enjoy the rides so I always used that as an excuse to refuse going on outing.
I can't believe I've been such a fool i kept spouting the nonsense about not regretting but not once did I try to change anything about me. I just closed my eyes and told myself I wasn't the female lead so nothing would work the way i wanted it to but In the end it was just me trying to escape reality, too scared of failure, I deluded myself that things couldn't get better not matter how hard I tried. Now that I can see a difference in things, its almost as though the veil blocking my eyes have been yanked off.
Night was beginning to fall as the day drew to an end. Sir Lucas had offered to set a tent up for the lady but she had refused hoping to reduce their struggles, she had retired for the night in her cramped carriage.
"When I heard she was a daughter of count dumont and engaged to the prince, i thought she would be very difficult. Throwing tantrums and complaining of how difficult the journey is" Ava had joined Lucas on his watch.
"Her grace surprised me too, I heard she grew up very sheltered with a weak body and she was loved very dearly by count dumont which was why she wasnt very active in high society, that was why his grace didn't approve her using a warp gate"
"Well those gates can be deadly if you go through with a weak body. I remember my first time, i threw up for so long and had to be in bed for a day. " Gideon had joined the conversation with a grim smile.
"Well next time try not to drink as much the night before going through one" they all laughed.
"But her grace doesn't look frail" Lucas shot Gideon a stern look as if telling him not to speak further of this. Shrugging he waves them off as he dissappear into the darkness
"Captain, you know he means no harm, he just doesn't think much. Everyone respects his grace allot and we all hope that this time her grace will turn out to be a good person." Ava sighs as she shakes her head.
"Sir Gideon" clarisa had suddenly called out from her carriage seeing him walk by. She had wanted to know more about the duke and she felt he would be the best of the four knights as he seemed the most easy going.
"Your grace, is the carriage uncomfortable? Do you need us to set up a tent for you?"
"Well I wanted to know more about his grace the duke. Not allot is known about him except for what goes around high society. As he is my husband now i would like to get along with him" she smiled sweetly.
"Hmmmm. Well his grace simply put, is really awesome, everyone in runan respects him allot. To every knight in the silver order he is a role model. He is someone who shoulders the responsibility of all and looks flawless while doing it" he smiled as he sang the duke's praise.
"So are the rumors about him false?" His face grew grim as an unreadable expression settles on his face.
"I'm sorry but I'm sure captain would kill me if I said anymore. It would be best to find out more from his grace. He may not look like it but he is a very warm person, he cares allot for his people and I'm sure he will treat you with respect. So your grace allow me to overstep a little. Please treat him well, he may not act like it but his grace is a very tender hearted man"
The journey to Runan took 5 days instead of the estimated 2 weeks. Without the need to set up tents at night or take breaks at inns the journey came to an end faster than expected.
As the carriage pulled into the estate of the duke at sunset. The grounds were covered in snow as the huge castle shone under the warmth of the sun. This place must be 3 or 4 times bigger than the counts residence.
Standing at the foot of the steps was a man with long shining silver hair. Against the snow that covered the scenery and the setting sun, his hair shone like a gem.
Extending his arm to help her out of the carriage.
"Greetings my lady, i am duke theodore Leandros. I hope your journey here was not too stressful. " his voice was low, it pulled me in but something stopped me. It wasnt cold but it wasn't gentle either. What was it about his voice that made my heart ache?
Standing closer to the duke she could see him clearly, his glowing hair swaying with the cold winter wind. His eyes... his blue eyes looking directly at her but there was no coldness or warmth. But they looked at her, she could feel her heart beat faster as her cheeks burned hotter. She became conscious of her every move not wanting to make a mistake. She wanted this mysterious man to only see her good side. She couldn't take her eyes of him as she thought he looked 'breath taking'.
"Lady clarisa du... Leandros, greet the duke of Runan. The journey was enjoyable as my escorts did a great job. " smiling as she tucks a loose strands of hair back. The cold winter wind sent shivers down her.
"Please let's continue this conversation inside" extending his hand to escorting her. Placing her hand gently on his as she smiles shyly.